Swindon Town still need to have a successful January transfer window if they are to continue their steps towards survival this season, so what could they be looking to get done?

The transfer season has rolled around again and so I have returned in my hypothetical role of director of football to go through some players which could be a good fit at Swindon.

Ian Holloway has said that he is looking for at least two players this month and is hoping to prioritise experience to help the squad have the right tools to perform to the best of their abilities.

I think in this scenario, as Holloway has said, it is not major surgery that is required and it would be wise to look for a few key players to give the mid-season boost that is needed. January is a difficult month to know who would be available, but here are a few potential options.

Centre-back

Swindon seemed to bring in a lot of defenders in the summer but they have struggled to keep them all fit this season and adding another body to that area with Miguel Freckleton departing would be of use.

Freckleton is set to go back to Sheffield United (Image: Natalie Mayhew)

One option in this area could be Stockport County’s Sam Hughes. The 27-year-old only moved to Edgeley Park in the summer but he has struggled for playing time and has not started a league game since October.

Aerially Hughes is a dominant defender, winning 64 per cent of his aerial duels last season and 80 per cent during his limited exposure this campaign. He has made over 100 appearances for Burton Albion in his career, having also played for Salford City and Chester and could be a big asset in defence.

Another option could be Stevenage’s Dan Sweeney. Injury has meant he has missed the majority of this campaign so far but you would do well to find a defender who has played more at League Two level than him.

Since Boro’s promotion, he has been more of a squad player and so could be available but he offers bags of experience along with excellent defensive capability.

Sweeney in action for Stevenage (Image: Rhianna Chadwick/PA Wire)

Winger

The one position that Holloway has been very clear about finding is a wide man to help him vary his approach when required, especially one capable of taking players on with their trickery.

It is tough to find a veteran with that skillset, so I have searched for a potential loan option and Romelle Donovan of Birmingham City looks like an exciting prospect.

He did go on loan to Burton in the first half of the campaign but that deal was cut short due to a lack of playing time. However, even in the time he did have, he demonstrated what an exciting player he is.

In just 176 minutes of League One football, including one start, he completed eight dribbles at a success rate which ranks in the 86th percentile among wingers and also ranked in the 90th percentile for his cross accuracy. He is a very highly thought of young player and could be the x-factor that Town want.

You could also go back to the bountiful well on out-of-favour Milton Keynes Dons forwards and take a look at Jonathan Leko.

Leko tackles Palmer whilst playing for MK Dons (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

A very bad knee ligament injury curtailed his time at Burton (a bit of a theme today) and was a squad option at Stadium MK even before that. He is a very exciting attacker when he is fit with the ability to take players on, score, and create. After so long out he would be a bit of a gamble but it could pay off very well if he can get back to sharpness.

Striker

The last piece that I think would be of use is a stand-in for Harry Smith. He is the only real target man in the squad and when he has not been available that has been noticeable, so helping to lighten the load on him would fill that hole.

Speaking of going back to a previously profitable well, Vadaine Oliver from Bradford City. He has only started one league game this season and they are reportedly looking to bring in another striker, so his services don’t seem to be required at Valley Parade.

He has been a nuisance against Swindon many times in the past and he still seems to have it, given his aerial duel still ranks in the 96th percentile in League Two this season. Plus, all Bradford strikers immediately become deadly when playing for Swindon on loan so any concerns about that aspect of his game should be put to bed.

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